And what if I tell you that I’m not leaving? That I’m not just here for a while? Amelia looked at him with a mixture of skepticism and a desire to believe him. I don’t know if I can risk trusting that. Daniel took a step closer, his voice lower, but firm.
It’s not just about you, Amelia. It’s about Leo. She felt a lump in her chest.
I know, she whispered. But that’s precisely what scares me the most. The following days, Amelia tried to act normal.
She didn’t want to let her fear sabotage everything. But Daniel was perceptive. He watched her, noticed when she drifted off, when she seemed to hesitate every time Leo hugged him with excitement.
And one day, after putting Leo to sleep, she couldn’t take it anymore. Tell me the truth, Amelia. She looked up from the teacup she held in the kitchen.
About what? Daniel looked at her seriously. About what’s really bothering you? Amelia put the cup on the table and sighed. I don’t want Leo to get attached to you if you’re not sure you’re going to stay.
Daniel placed his hands on the table, looking at her intently. Amelia, this is not a game for me. You say that now? Daniel clicked his tongue impatiently.
I’m not a child. I’m not doing this on a whim. I’m here because I want to be here.
Amelia held his gaze, feeling her heart beating too fast. And what if one day you decide you can’t do it anymore? He straightened up. Then tell me what I have to do to prove to you that I’m not leaving.
Amelia felt her throat close up because she had no answer, because part of her didn’t want one, and because she knew that if he kept insisting, she would end up falling. Daniel didn’t bring up the topic again, but Amelia knew his answer still floated between them. He was determined to stay.
She was afraid he would leave, and in the middle of it all was Leo, more and more comfortable with his presence. The days passed, and Daniel started picking him up from school when Amelia had work. Some afternoons, he would take him for ice cream.
Others, they would just sit in the park and play. It was so natural, so simple, so dangerous. Because for the first time, Amelia started to imagine a future where Daniel was really there, not just as a temporary visitor.
And that terrified her. One night, when Leo was already asleep, Daniel stayed in the apartment longer than usual. Want some coffee? Amelia asked, not realizing how strange it sounded.
He looked at her with a faint smile. Is that your way of telling me not to leave yet? Amelia fell silent. She hadn’t even thought about it.
But when she realized she didn’t want him to leave, her stomach churned. Daniel approached the table and sat across from her. Tell me what’s wrong.
Amelia looked down. Nothing. Amelia.
She pressed her lips together and looked him in the eyes. I don’t know what to do with you. Daniel raised an eyebrow.
I didn’t know I was a problem. Amelia sighed. You are, because you’re here, because Leo is getting used to you.
Because I… She stopped, feeling her heart pound in her chest. Daniel didn’t look away. You what? Amelia swallowed and looked away.
It doesn’t matter. Daniel leaned over the table. It does matter.
Amelia felt the room getting smaller, that Daniel was too close, that her feelings were too out of control. I’m scared that this is starting to feel normal. She finally admitted.
Daniel tilted his head. Why? She let out a dry laugh. Because if this becomes normal, it means we could lose it.
Daniel looked at her in silence for a long moment. Then, with a calm but firm voice, he said, we’re not going to lose anything. Amelia couldn’t answer.
Because deep down, a part of her wanted to believe him. And that was what scared her the most. A year of normalcy and a promise kept.
Daniel couldn’t stop thinking about Amelia’s words. I’m scared that this is starting to feel normal. There was something in her voice when she said it.
Not just fear, but also something deeper, something he couldn’t name. He didn’t want to pressure her anymore that night. He knew that forcing her would only make her shut down even more.
But he was clear that Amelia felt something, something she was trying to avoid at all costs. And Daniel, for the first time in a long time, was not willing to let it go. The days continued.
Leo waited for him excitedly every time he picked him up from school. Every time he saw him smile, Daniel felt something inside him solidify more. That child was his, his blood, and he couldn’t believe he had almost been taken from him.
But the most difficult part wasn’t Leo. It was Amelia. She continued to keep her distance, although it was clear it was hard for her to do so.
Every time their hands brushed while walking next to Leo, the silence grew thick. Daniel noticed how her breathing changed. But she did nothing, and he was already tired of waiting.
One afternoon, after putting Leo to sleep, Amelia went out onto the balcony for some air. Daniel followed her. How long are you going to keep running from this? She immediately tensed.
What are you talking about? Daniel rested his hands on the railing, looking at the city. Us? Amelia turned abruptly. There is no us, Daniel.
He smiled ironically. Do you really believe that? It’s the truth? It’s not. Amelia pressed her lips together.
Daniel, we can’t. Why not? He interrupted. Because you’re scared? She looked away.